A Battle that Changed the Course of the Civil War
Richmond National Battlefield Park to Commemorate
Battle of Gaines’ Mill
RICHMOND, Va.-On Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30, Richmond National Battlefield Park will commemorate the 157th anniversary of the Battle of Gaines’ Mill with ranger-led programs and weapons demonstrations. National Park Service historians will provide tours of the battlefield throughout the weekend, while living history volunteers will offer weapons demonstrations at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm on Saturday and 11 am and 1 pm on Sunday. An historic fife and drum program will take place on Saturday at 12:00 pm and 2:30 pm and on Sunday at 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm. Civil War-era encampments will be open from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday. All programs are free and open to the public.
The Battle of Gaines’ Mill marked the third of the Seven Days Battles that raged near the Confederate capital of Richmond in the summer of 1862. Casualties from the battle exceeded 15,000, making it one of the bloodiest battles of the war up to that point. Despite heavy losses, however, the battle was a clear tactical victory for newly-minted commander of the Confederate army Robert E. Lee. The reputation Lee made at Gaines’ Mill cemented his fame in the Confederacy; his victory staved off Union forces and made it clear that the Civil War’s end was not yet in sight.
For more information, including ranger tour times, please contact the Richmond National Battlefield Park at (804) 226-1981, or visit us online at www.nps.gov/rich or www.Facebook.com/RichmondNPS.
About Richmond National Battlefield Park
Richmond National Battlefield Park is one of over 400 national park areas across the United States. Experiencing the park’s historic sites and five visitor centers usually takes a full day. A driving tour of the battlefields is available at any of the park’s facilities. The main park visitor center is located at Historic Tredegar (470 Tredegar Street in Richmond) and provides museum exhibits, audio-visual programs and orientation services to help plan a visit to the battlefields. For additional information, contact the park at 804-226-1981, or via the internet at www.nps.gov/rich or www.Facebook.com/RichmondNPS.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
